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Yucca jaegeriana

eastern joshua tree

Asparagaceae

Eastern Mojave Desert (Nevada, Arizona, Utah)

Attracts Pollinators Deer Resistant Drought Tolerant

Native to North America

SunFull Sun

WaterVery Low · drought-tolerant

HardinessZones 6–9

Overview

Yucca jaegeriana is an arborescent, tree-like yucca growing 6-25 ft (1.8-7.5 m) tall, formerly treated as a variety of Yucca brevifolia and distinguished by its shorter stature, denser branching, and shorter leaves. The trunk is topped by branches ending in rosettes of stiff, sword-shaped, blue-green leaves 4-8 in (10-20 cm) long with sharp tips and finely toothed margins. In spring, dense, upright clusters of creamy white to greenish bell-shaped flowers about 1.5-2 in (4-5 cm) long rise among the rosettes. The species is native to the eastern Mojave Desert, mainly in Nevada, Arizona, and Utah, growing on desert flats and slopes between roughly 3,000 and 6,000 ft (900-1,800 m). It is hardy in USDA zones 6 to 9 and tolerates extreme heat and cold, but grows slowly and depends on its specialist moth pollinator to set seed. It rots in wet or poorly drained soils, and the rigid leaf tips are sharp enough to puncture skin.

Native Range

Yucca jaegeriana is native to the eastern Mojave Desert of the southwestern United States, chiefly in southern Nevada, northwestern Arizona, and southwestern Utah. It grows on desert flats, bajadas, and slopes at moderate elevations.

Suggested Uses

Used as a sculptural specimen in desert and xeriscape gardens within its climate range, spaced 8-15 ft (2.4-4.5 m) apart to allow for branching. It also supports desert wildlife that shelter and feed in its canopy.

How to Identify

Recognized as a branching, tree-like yucca shorter and more densely branched than Yucca brevifolia, with shorter leaves. The stiff, sword-shaped, blue-green leaves 4-8 in (10-20 cm) long form rosettes at the branch tips and end in sharp points. Upright clusters of creamy white to greenish bell-shaped flowers appear among the rosettes in spring.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height6' - 25'

Width/Spread6' - 15'

Reaches mature size in approximately 30 years

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~4 weeks

Spring

Flowering occurs in spring, generally March to May, though not every year and depending on winter rainfall and temperature. The dense clusters of creamy bell-shaped flowers last several weeks. Pollination depends on yucca moths, which transfer pollen as they lay eggs in the flowers.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

creamy white to greenish

Foliage Description

blue-green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun

Requires 6-12 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range6.5 - 8.0(Alkaline)

357912

Soil Types

sand rocky loam

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Very Low

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

many years; slow-growing

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Yucca jaegeriana grows in full sun and sharp-draining sandy, gravelly, or rocky soils with pH from 6.5 to 8.0. It is hardy in USDA zones 6 through 9 and withstands intense desert heat as well as winter cold and snow. Water needs are very low, and the plant rots in wet or poorly drained ground, particularly in winter. It grows slowly, often only 1-2 in (2.5-5 cm) per year, and is long-lived. Seed set depends on its specialist yucca moth, so cultivated plants away from the moth rarely produce viable seed.

Pruning

Dead lower leaves can be left in place as a skirt or removed for appearance. Spent flower stalks can be cut once the bloom finishes. The plant needs no regular pruning and is slow to recover from heavy cutting of living growth.